Pesticide distributing apparatus with augmented air blast pattern



Oct. 6, 1964 H. P. CULP I PESTICIDE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS WITHAUGMENTED AIR BLAST PATTERN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1962INVENTOR. HERBERT P. CULP O O O Q 00 0 330 230? $3 30 00 o 00 00 o o 0 0D D ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1964 H. P. CULP 3,151,812

PESTICIDE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS WITH AUC'MENTED AIR BLAST PATTERN 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1962 P L U C P T R E B Du E H ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,151,812 PESTICIDE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS WllHAUGMENTEB AIR BLAST PATTERN Herbert P. Culp, Locirport, N.Y., assignorto Friend Manufacturing Corporation, Gasport, N.Y., a corporation of NewYork Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,087 6 Claims. (Cl. 239-78) Thisinvention relates to improvements-in pesticide distributing apparatus ofthe orchard sprayer type, and more particularly to providing suchapparatus with an augmented air blast pattern.

Heretofore most orchard sprayers have had an inverted generally U-shapedair discharge aperture of substantially uniform width throughout itslength from end to end so that a fan-shaped air blast of substantiallyuniform cross-section was created to which pesticide, whether liquid orpowdered or both, was suitably added. In many uses, it was found thatwith a sprayer of a given size penetration of tree foliage by the airblast was unsatisfactory. To overcome this, a sprayer of greatercapacity was sometimes used. While this may have produced thepenetration desired in some cases, it was achieved at a sacrifice ofefficiency since not only was a larger sprayer required but an excessiveamount of spray was lost in being discharged in undesired directionssuch as below the tree foliage or vertically upwardly when the sprayerwas moved along the aisle-like clearing between two rows of trees.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to overcomethe deficiencies of the prior art sprayers by controlling the pattern ofthe pesticide bearing air blast discharged by the sprayer so that thevolume of air is increased in a portion of the pattern where desired anddecreased elsewhere in the pattern where a smaller volume of air isacceptable.

Another object is to increase or augment the air blast discharged by thesprayer in the zone of from about 40 to about 50 on each side of acentral vertical centerline of the air discharge aperture. This permitsthe desired amount of pesticide to penetrate through the outer foliageof trees on opposite sides of the sprayer and to reach the foliage atthe tops of these trees.

Another object is to achieve the controlled air blast pattern withvolumetric augmentation in the desired portions thereof in a highlyeflicient manner, considering the capacity of the air blast generatingmeans of a given sprayer.

Another object is to provide the augmented air blast pattern in astructurally simple and relatively inexpensive manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereofillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of pesticide distributirig apparatus of themobile orchard sprayer type constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present inven- U011.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the rear end portionof the sprayer shown in FIG. 1, with the upper half of the viewillustrating the sprayer in section.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional View thereof taken on line 33of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective elevational view, on a somewhat diminishedscale, of the air deflector means which defines one edge of the aperturethrough which air is discharged.

FIG. 5 is a developed view of the two edges of structure which arespaced apart non-uniformly to provide the improved air dischargeaperture of variable width.

The present invention is shown as embodied in pesticide ice distributingapparatus of the trailed orchard sprayer type. Such sprayer isillustrated as having a frame including a spaced air of longitudinalchannel frame members it) and 11 suitably connected at their front endsto a drawbar 12 adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle such as atractor (not shown). The frame is supported on wheels arranged onopposite sides, one of which wheels is phantomly indicated by brokenlines at 13. Suitably supported on the sprayer frame midway of its endsis an engine 14, preferably of the internal combustion type, adapted torotate a rearwardly extending horizontal shaft 15 to the rear end ofwhich a bladed fan wheel 16 is suitably secured. The fan 16 may be ofany suitable construction and is shown as rotatably arranged withincasing means indicated generally at 17 which confines the air induced tobe moved by the fan when rotated.

While the casing means 17 may be constructed in any suitable manner, thesame is shown as including a gradually outwardly flared tubular rearsection 18 suitably connected at its front or left end, as viewed inFIG. 2, to the rear or right end of an intermediate cylindrical tubularsection 19. Such connection is shown as being by out-turned flangesattached by bolts and nuts indicated at 20. The outer or inlet end ofthe rear casing portion 18 is shown as covered by a wire mesh guard 21mounted in any suitable manner. Flaring outwardly and forwardly from thefront end of the intermediate casing sec tion 19 is a front section 22comprising an upper semicircular flared part 23 integrally connected atopposite ends to upright lower flared parts 24 and 25. The rear edge ofthe semi-circular part 23 is suitably connected as by welding to theupper semi-circular half of the front edge of the intermediate casingsection 19. The rear edges of the lower flared parts 24 and 25 areseverally connected in any suitable manner as by welding to the outervertical edges of vertically disposed transversely extending plate parts26, each having a curved inner edge which is suitably connected as bywelding to the corresponding curved lower quadrant portion of the frontedge of the intermediate casing section 19.

The front or free edge, generically represented by the numeral 27, ofthe front casing section 22 has all of its portions lying substantiallyin a single transverse plane. As shown in the developed illustration ofthis edge in FIG. 5, it will be seen that the edge 27 is a straight linearranged at the front of the front casing section 22 and in spacedrelation to this edge are air deflector means represented generally bythe numeral 28 having a rear edge represented generally by the numeral29 to provide therebetween an air discharge aperture 39 of variablewidth as more fully explained later herein.

The air deflector means 23 are shown as including a central wall portion31 preferably flat and vertically disposed, an upper baffle portion 32preferably flat and a pair of lateral battle portions 33 and 34- eachalso preferably flat. The wall portion El and the baffle portions 32-34are preferably formed from a single piece of sheet metal represented bythe numeral 35, suitably formed in outline and bent into the desiredconfiguration. Viewing the rear face of the transversely extending sheetmetal wall 35 as illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be seen that the edge 29thereof has an inverted generally Ushaped outline including a topsemi-circular section connected at opposite ends to lower vertical edgesections. The air deflector edge 29 is substantially coterminous withthe casing edge 27.

To provide the upper baflie 32, the upper central segment of the sheetmetal wall 35 is shown as being bent along a horizontal chordal line 39which at opposite ends intersects with the edge 29 at points indicatedat 4% and 41. These points 4%) and 41 are located about 40 from and onopposite sides of a vertical centerline YY passing through the center Cof the aforementioned semicircular section of the sheet metal wall 35.The flat baffle 32 so provided tilts or inclines upwardly and rearwardlytoward the front edge 27 of the casing means 17. The lateral marginalportion of the sheet metal wall 35 forming the lateral bafile 33 isshown as being bent along an upwardly and outwardly incliningrectilinear line 4-2 which at its upper end intersects the edge 29 at apoint 43 located about 50 from the vertical centerline YY and on'thecorresponding side thereof. Similarly, the other lateral marginalportion of the sheet metal wall 35 which provides the lateral baffle 34is bent along an upwardly and outwardly inclining rectilinear line 44which intersects at its upper end the edge 29 at a point designated 45located about 50 from and on the corresponding side of the Verticalcenterline Y-Y. Both lateral flat baflles 33 and 34 so providedseverally tilt or incline outwardly and rearwardly toward the front edge27 of the casing means 17.

Referring to FIGS. 4'and 5, it will be seen that the edge 29 of thedeflector means 28 includes a central top salient edge portion 2% whichextends between points 4% and 41 to provide an upper restricted apertureportion 30a; a first adjoining intermediate flat edge portion 2% whichextends between points 49 and 43 and substantially parallel to theopposing edge 27 to provide a first wider or enlarged aperture portion3%; a similar second adjoining intermediate flat edge portion 29c at theother end of the salient edge portion 2% and which edge portion 29cextends between points 41 and 45 and substantially parallel to theopposing edge 27 to provide a second wider or enlarged aperture portion30c; a first lower lateral edge portion 29d which adjoins the firstintermediate flat edge portion 29b and which edge portion 29d isinclined convergently downwardly toward the opposing edge 27 to providea first lower restricted aperture portion 30d; and a second lowerlateral edge portion 2% which adjoins the second intermediate flat edgeportion 290 and which edge portion 2% is inclined convergentlydownwardly toward the opposing edge 27 to provide a second lowerrestricted aperture portion 30c. It will thus be seen that the edge 29has portions lying in different planes so as to be spaced non-uniformlyfrom the single lane edge 27 to define therebetween the air dischargeaperture 30 of variable width. This aperture has its greatest width inthe enlarged portions 3%]; and 390 and gradually narrows on oppositesides of each of such portions. These enlarged aperture portions 301)and 300 are located in the 40 to 50 zone from the central verticalcenterline YY of the aperture and on opposite sides of such centerlinewhere it is desired to augment the volume of air so as to have theincreased range, force and coverage of the air blast for penetration oftree foliage. Between and below such zones, the volume of the air blastis decreased as is desirable.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flat V-shaped floor 48 is suitably mounted at thelower end of the transverse sheet metal wall 35 and extends between suchwall and the casing means 17 below the bottom of the intermediatesection 19 thereof to close 01f the lower portion of the spacetherebetween. If desired, adjustable auxiliary deflector means astypically represented at 49 may be disposed between the sheet metal wall35 and the front section 22 of the casing means 17. Also, the spacedrelationship between the air deflector means 23 and the casing means 17is shown as being maintained by a plurality of circumferentially spacedstruts or bars t! which extend between and are suitably secured at theirends as by Welding to the sheet metal wall 35 and front casing section22.

The sheet metal wall 35 is reenforcedand also maintained in the desiredand described bent condition by an inverted generally U-shaped angleframe 51. Surrounding this frame 51 and suitable connected thereto as bywelding and also to the edge 2? of the sheet metal wall 35, alsopreferably by welding, is a flange member 52. This flange 52 has a frontedge extending in a single transverse plane alined with the front edgeof the frame member 51, and a rear edge which is spaced nonuniformlyaway from its front edge so as to bridge the gap between the multi-planeedge of the bent sheet metal wall 35 and the frame member.

The air deflector assembly 28 described is suitably mounted on the mainframe of the sprayer. A sheet metal curved canopy 53 having a perforatedtop section 54 is shown as arranged over the engine 14 and extendingbetween the air deflector assembly 28 and the rear end of a tank 55arranged on the sprayer frame forward of the engine 14. The tank 55serves as a reservoir for an aqueous solution of the desired pesticidematerial which is adapted to be pumped by engine driven means (notshown) to a manifold spray pipe 56. The pipe 56 is shown as beingarranged on the rear side of the outwardly flared front casing section22 and is provided with a series of spaced spray nozzles 58 from whichthe pesticide solution can be discharged to be drawn into the air blastcreated upon leaving the air discharge aperture 39. If desired, thesprayer may be provided on one or both sides with a longitudinallyslidable closure plate 59, shown in open position in FIGS. 1 and 2,which may be moved to cover partially the air discharge aperture 30.

The sheet metal wall 35 is shown as having a centrally located circularopening 69 through which the. engine driven fan shaft 15 extends. Theportion of this shaft between the wall 35 and fan 16 is preferablyencased by a tubular cylindrical shell 61 having at its front end anoutwardly extending annular attaching flange 62 larger in diameter thanthe opening 60 so as to cover this opening. Suitable fasteners such asbolts and nuts, indicated at 63, removably attach the overlappingportion of the flange 62 to the rear side of the sheet metal wall 35.

With the fan 16 rotated by the engine 14, it will be seen that air isdrawn into the rear inlet end of the casing means 17 and is confined bysuch means while flowing forwardly therethrough. The air so movedaxially by the fan impinges the wall 35 including its baffle parts 32-34of the air deflector means 28 and is turned radially outwardly. Thebottom Wall 48 prevents discharge of the air downwardly toward theground. This bottom wall jointly with the vertical wall portion 31 andthe inclined baflles 32-34 direct the air for discharge through thevariably wide aperture 30 which because of its restricted and enlargedportions causes a greater volume of the available air to be dischargedin the 40 to 50 zones right and left of center. These are the locationswhere it is desired to augment the volumetric pattern of the air blastinto which pesticide is drawn from the nozzles 58.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the embodiment illustrated anddescribed accomplishes the various objectives stated. Sincemodifications may occur to those skilled in the art,'the embodimentshown and described is intended to be illustrative and not limitative ofthe invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air while flowing therethrough and atone end having a first edge, air deflector means having a second edgesubstantially coterminous with said first edge and including a topsemicircular section of which a central portion extends arouately from apoint located about 40 on one side of a vertical centerline passingthrough the center of said semicircular section to another point locatedabout 40 on the other side of said centerline, said central portionlying in a plane diflerent from that for other portions of said secondedge and being spaced more closely to said first edge to providetherebetween an air discharge aperture having a restricted upperportion, and means for flowing air through said casing means fordischarge through said aperture.

2. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air while flowing therethrough and atone end having a first edge, air deflector means having a second edgesubstantially coterminous with said first edge and including lowersections connected by a top semi-circular section, the portion of saidsecond edge on each side of a vertical centerline passing through thecenter of said semicircular section beginning at and extending below apoint located about 50 from said centerline lying in a plane differentfrom that for other portions of said second edge and being spaced moreclosely to said first edge to provide therebetween an air dischargeaperture having a restricted lower portion, and means for flowing airthrough said casing means for discharge through said aperture.

3. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air while flowing therethrough and atone end having a first edge, air deflector means having a second edgesubstantially coterminous with said first edge and including lowersections connected by a top semi-circular section, the portion of saidsemi-circular section on each side of a vertical centerline passingthrough the center thereof extending arcuately from a point locatedabout 40 to another point located about 50 from said centerline lying ina plane different from that for other portions of said second edge andbeing spaced farther away from said first edge to provide therebetweenan air discharge aperture having a wider portion in each quadrant ofsaid semi-circular section, and means for flowing air through saidcasing means for discharge through said aperture.

4. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air while flowing therethrough and atone end having a first edge all portions of which lie substantially in asingle plane, air deflector means spaced from said one end of saidcasing means and including Wall means extending transversely thereof,first baffle means arranged above said wall means and inclining upwardlyand outwardly toward said first edge and second and third baflle meansarranged on opposite lateral sides of said wall means and each inclininglaterally outwardly toward said first edge, said wall means and first,second and third batfle means jointly providing a second edge which issubstantially coterminous with said first edge but spaced nonuniformlytherefrom to provide an air discharge aperture of variable width, andmeans for flowing air through said casing means for discharge throughsaid aperture.

5. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air while flowing therethrough and atone end having an inverted generally U-shaped first edge all portions ofwhich lie substantially in a single plane, air deflector means spacedfrom said one end of said casing means and including a sheet metal wallextending transversely thereof and on its top and lateral sides havingan inverted generally U-shaped outline, the upper central segment ofsaid wall being bent along a horizontal chordal line to provide a firstflat baifle tilted toward said first edge, the marginal portions of saidWall on said lateral sides being bent severally along an upwardly andoutwardly inclining rectilinear line to provide a pair of second flatbaflles severally tilted toward said first edge, said wall having asecond edge which is substantially coterminous with said first edge butspaced non-uniformly therefrom to provide an air discharge aperture ofvariable width, and means for flowing air through said casing means fordischarge through said aperture.

6. In pesticide distributing apparatus, the combination comprisingcasing means arranged to confine air While flowing therethrough and atone end having an inverted generally U-shaped first edge all portions ofwhich lie substantially in a single plane, air deflector means spacedfrom said one end of said casing means and including a sheet metal wallextending transversely thereof and having a second edge of invertedgenerally U-shaped outline including a top semi-circular section andspaced from and substantially coterminous with said first edge, theupper central segment of said Wall being bent along a horizontal chordalline intersecting at opposite ends said second edge at points locatedabout 40 from and on opposite sides of a vertical centerline passingthrough the center of said semi-circular section to provide a first flatbaflie tilted toward said first edge, each of the lateral marginalportions of said wall on opposite sides of said centerline being bentalong an upwardly and outwardly inclining rectilinear line intersectingat its upper end said second edge at a point located about 50 from andon the corresponding side of said centerline to provide a pair of secondflat bafies severally tilted toward said first edge, whereby said secondedge is spaced non-uniformly from said first edge to provide an airdischarge aperture of variable width, and means for flowing air throughsaid casing means for discharge through said aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,805,782 Munz May 19, 1931 2,295,088 Kleucker Sept. 8, 1942 2,338,273Wilkins Ian. 4, 1944 2,470,519 Peterson et a1. May 17, 1949 2,551,789Copley May 8, 1951 2,569,274 Andrews Sept. 25, 1951 2,921,435 LandgrafJan. 19, 1960 3,029,030 Dey Apr. 10, 1962 3,085,754 Thompson Apr. 16,1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 146,854 Sweden Sept. 7, 1954

1. IN PESTICIDE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISINGCASING MEANS ARRANGED TO CONFINE AIR WHILE FLOWING THERETHROUGH AND ATONE END HAVING A FIRST EDGE, AIR DEFLECTOR MEANS HAVING A SECOND EDGESUBSTANTIALLY COTERMINOUS WITH SAID FIRST EDGE AND INCLUDING A TOPSEMICIRCULAR SECTION OF WHICH A CENTRAL PORTION EXTENDS ARCUATELY FROM APOINT LOCATED ABOUT 40* ON ONE SIDE OF A VERTICAL CENTERLINE PASSINGTHROUGH THE CENTER OF SAID SEMICIRCULAR SECTION TO ANOTHER POINT LOCATEDABOUT 40* ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID CENTERLINE, SAID CENTRAL PORTIONLYING IN A PLANE DIFFERENT FROM THAT FOR OTHER PORTIONS OF SAID SEC-